Is It Time For Oro Valley To Have A City Charter? (Part 1)

---
"Arizona's charter cities have rights that keep state lawmakers from interfering with decisions made by voters and their councils on strictly local matters."  This is from a ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court last year. (Source)

"The Arizona Constitution also gives cities the power to adopt their own charters. And... when it comes to issues of local concern, that constitutional right trumps state statutes."

There are 19 charter cities in Arizona. Tucson is one.  Others include Yuma, Mesa, Peoria, and Glendale,  Scottsdale is a charter city.  They created their first charter in 1961, when they were really just a small town of 27,000 residents:

"The [Scottsdale] City Charter is the basic document that defines the powers and functions of the city. It serves as the foundation of government for the city, but leaves the details of operation to local law. The City Charter sets forth the governance structure for and defines the qualifications and role of the elected officials - the Mayor and six Councilmembers. In broad strokes, the Charter also establishes the authority and responsibility of the city officers - the City Attorney, City Auditor, City Clerk, City Magistrate, City Manager, and City Treasurer. Any amendment or modification to the city's charter requires a public vote."

"The actual governing of the city is defined by the charter rather than by state, provincial or regional or national laws. A charter gives a city’s residents that flexibility to choose any kind of government structure allowed by law." (Source) 

Oro Valley does not have a city charter.  As a consequence, the State can interfere with the town's decisions.

Oro Valley is a town with a population of 42,000 headed toward 50,000 in just a few years.  It is no longer a little "burg".  It is, in fact, a growing city.

Is it time for Oro Valley to have a city charter?
---